BISD recognizes PSAT outstanding scholars

Congratulations and accolades went out to twenty-five Belton High School students on Wednesday as they were presented with the 2015 Superintendent Scholars award. Students came dressed “to the nines” accompanied with family and friends, as music resonated from the Belton High School Orchestra, setting the mood for this poignant moment for the distinguished honorees.

Being a Belton Superintendent Scholar is a great honor. With it comes the responsibility of always striving to grow and improve.

“This is a very special event we started to honor our tenth grade students that have a high score on the PSAT,” said Dr, Susan Kincannon, superintendent, Belton ISD. “We honor them and get them to continue in the National Merit Scholar Program. To compete in National Merit Scholar to acheive the ultimate goal of becoming a National Merit Scholar and with that they are able to access scholarships and get admitted to universities around the country.”

Each year, the Superintendent Scholar Award is presented to sophomores, who received high scores on the PSAT. These students will retake the PSAT during their junior year to determine whether or not they qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Of the more than 1.5 million students that take the PSAT each year, approximately 50,000 are selected for recognition, and of those, about 8,900 will be awarded college scholarships through the competition.

Sam Wilds, coordinator, advanced academic services, BISD, said. “This event honors the top 14% students nationally. These are tenth grade students, next year they will take the PSAT again and be entered in the National Merit Scholar competition.”

“These students are our high achievers, and we are thankful to have them in our school system,” commented KIncannon.

And the following New Tech students were also recognized as 2015 Superintendent Scholars: Morgan Callin, Athena Dupree, Ian Gish, Tatyanna Hernandez, Jeremie Macisaac, and Mark Morris.

“We are very excited about the performance by the orchestra and that the school is acknowledging these kids that performed so well on these tests. It is great to get recognized,” said Laura Chaput, parent of Madeline Chaput. “This is the second time her and her friends from orchestra have had to perform in their own awards ceremony. Madeline is first chair, viola in the Belton High School Orchestra.”

After the awards were presented, parents and students had the chance to congratulate their friends personally. Concluding the awards ceremony refreshments were provided, as attendees enjoyed punch and cookies proud parents took photos of the triumphant moment of their child’s life.

Mark Fitzwater, parent of Andrew Fitzwater, said. “We are excited for him. He has done real well and we are just proud of him. We raised him very well and he works really hard.”